Cubs trade rumors link team to Blue Jays catcher Danny Jansen Originally appeared in NBC Sports Chicago
He Chicago Cubs are in an interesting position as they determine whether they want to be buyers or sellers at the MLB trade deadline, but if the team decides to add talent, there is one player who has apparently appeared on their radar.
The Cubs enter Sunday’s game 4.5 games back of the third wild-card spot in the National League after losing both games during a Saturday doubleheader against the St. Louis Cardinals.
Even after the losses, they may still be considering buying around the trade deadline, and according to USA Today’s Bob Nightengale, The Cubs “have expressed interest” in acquiring Toronto Blue Jays catcher Danny Jansen.
The catcher has appeared in 56 games this season for the Blue Jays, with six homers and 17 RBIs in 207 total plate appearances. He has a .223/.319/.397 batting average on the season for Toronto, with a 103 OPS+ and 1.2 WAR, according to Baseball Reference.
Jansen is in the final year of his contract with the Blue Jays and has earned $5.2 million this season. He will become an unrestricted free agent at the end of the season. according to Spotrac.
The Cubs haven’t gotten enough offense out of their catcher position this season, as Yan Gomes was designated for assignment earlier in the year due to his struggles at the plate.
Miguel Amaya, despite hitting one home run in Saturday’s game against the St. Louis Cardinals, has three homers, 18 RBIs and is hitting .201/.266/.288 on the season, while Tomas Nido is hitting .135 in 37 at-bats with the Cubs since being claimed off waivers earlier this season.
Colorado Rockies catcher Elias Diaz could also be available at the deadline, per Nightengale’s report. He’s batting .286/.330/.403 for the Rockies this season, with five homers and 30 RBIs in 248 at-bats.
The MLB trade deadline is July 30.